Chapter 57 - The Second Round begi… What?

Adam and Drake returned to the hotel a few hours after their “conversation” — though it had been less of a conversation and more of a forced interrogation with the ‘Golden Crow School’ members. As they stepped into the quiet lobby, the weight of what they’d done weighed heavily on them, neither found satisfaction in pressuring others for information, and they both struggled with the unsettling possibility that these people might indeed be real, as Nikolai suggested, rather than mere programs, as Li insisted. Viewing them as just creations would have made these encounters easier to accept, yet both guys couldn’t entirely discard the nagging sense that they were dealing with actual individuals, not just fake entities.

They moved silently, mutually deciding not to disturb anyone in the room’s peaceful stillness. Drake headed to a sofa to sleep but paused, noticing the small, mechanical bird, Falk, resting in a powered-down state. Though the blonde knew logically that Falk didn’t require rest, he found it curious how lifelike the little creature seemed, as though it too were asleep, maybe it was Isaac’s soul that wanted to do it after a while.

Adam, meanwhile, made his way to the balcony, stepping lightly across the creaking floorboards, sliding the door open to allow the cool night air to envelop him as he looked out over the city from the fourth floor… The city lay calm, bathed in moonlight and shadows that contrasted starkly with the inner turmoil he felt. Adam’s mind returned to the events of the evening and the challenges ahead, what had once seemed like a straightforward world now revealed layers of complexity and conflict he hadn’t anticipated.

They’d expected to get a subplot side mission somewhat easily this time, but with each new encounter, the plan of winning the tournament to secure an audience with the city’s regent felt like the only option, but could they do it? He recalled Li’s grueling match, one that had pushed him to his limits, and wondered about his own chances. If it had been so difficult for Li, what did that mean for them, especially against the monk Wei Lin, who had shown such overwhelming power in his match? Adam believed in his abilities and his recently mastered powers, but doubt crept in. For a moment, fear gripped him, his pulse quickening.

Feeling his heart race, the boy steeled himself, ordering the parasite in his brain to purge this useless fear. The sensation was immediate — a calm, almost chilling clarity washed over him, extinguishing his anxiety. With his mind now focused, he looked back at the dark horizon, his eyes narrowing as he braced himself for what was to come, and after a few minutes, he caught a faint, strange odor in the night air, a metallic scent mixed with something vaguely rotten, like decaying flesh. He couldn’t pinpoint the source, but the smell lingered, unsettling him before he eventually returned indoors.

As dawn broke, sunlight crept slowly into the room, waking each of them one by one. They rose gradually, yawning and stretching as they shook off the remnants of sleep. Kazue and the other women took turns in the bathroom, washing up and changing into fresh clothes, while the others prepared themselves in the main area. A knock on the door signaled the arrival of breakfast, brought by the hotel staff. The meal was generous, brimming with fragrant, glowing dishes that seemed infused with ki as always— food typical of this world, exuding a vibrant warmth that promised to restore their strength. The aroma filled the room, invigorating their senses.

As everyone settled around the meal, it became clear that Li was standing on his own and without any help. Gone were the bandages and the arm cast, and he stood shirtless, his body displaying an impressive strength. His muscles, once lean, now appeared distinctly defined, giving him a more powerful, resilient appearance. Everyone — including Li himself — was taken aback.

Kazue and Drake exchanged glances, sensing something off about him; they couldn’t quite identify it, but there was a subtle difference in Li’s aura, something they couldn’t put into words. Adam, however, activated his [Cursed Eyes], focusing intently on Li’s form. A faint glow outlined him, a pulsating energy that ran in hidden channels across his body, narrowing his vision, Adam recognized the unmistakable shimmer of what the system identified as a skill.

[Skill: Hidden Meridian Glow LV1] [Fundamental aura-like trait that flows invisibly along one’s meridians, present in nearly every living being. Though undetectable to ordinary eyes, it’s a subtle yet essential ki emanation that enables the user to gather and channel ki energy within their body. ] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Notice: Ki manipulation skills and techniques can derive from this trait.]

“Are you alright?”

Kazue broke the silence, her voice tinged with concern. Li glanced at her and then at the others, his expression filled with wonder.

“I feel… better than I ever have, It’s as if my wounds were never there. I have more energy than I’ve felt in years. It’s like I’ve rejuvenated.”

As Li flexed his hands, still absorbing the unexpected change, Adam thought up, his gaze unwavering. It was possible that the doctor’s treatment activated ki channels within him, and perhaps the pill he took acted as a catalyst, releasing this energy. It was unusual, though, for elements specific to this world to manifest in someone from outside the scenario. Maybe there were rules they didn’t yet understand, or perhaps it was a precise combination of circumstances that made this possible.

Li took a deep breath, still coming to terms with the strange sensation of strength coursing through him. A grin spread across his face, excitement shining in his eyes as he looked around at his teammates.

“Whatever happened, I’m ready to see what I can do now.”

Once they’d finished eating, the group left the hotel and walked toward the city’s regent palace, where the arena awaited them. Today, unlike the day before, they encountered no line — only the crowd filing in for their own seats. Chloe, Katya, Nikolai, Emir, and Sebastian made their way up into the stands, ready to watch the matches.

But before that, Chloe turned to the others, a bright smile lighting up her face as she called out.

“Good luck to all of you! You’ve got this!”

Her voice was light and cheerful, and her enthusiasm lifted everyone’s spirits. Katya, however, approached Kazue more hesitantly, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush, so she took a deep breath before speaking.

“P-please, be careful… Good luck. I’ll be supporting you.”

She said softly with her voice filled with a quiet warmth. She looked down after speaking, feeling somewhat shy, but Kazue gave her a grateful smile and a victory hand pose in return.

Adam, Kazue, Drake, Li, and Gregor continued into the participant area, a place reserved solely for those competing. The atmosphere was different from the day before; only two other participants were lingering around, both of whom had won their matches the previous day but had made little impression. This caught the group’s attention, and each of them wondered briefly why the room was so empty, though they assumed more people would arrive soon.

They occupied themselves with light stretching, mentally preparing for the day’s matches. As they waited, several tournament organizers entered the room, all dressed in robes resembling those worn by Asian priests. The organizers moved quickly and quietly, murmuring amongst themselves with a sense of urgency, their faces tense with worry.

The team couldn’t make out the words, but the sense of anxiety was unmistakable, and it was hard not to feel a bit of nervousness seep into the room.

Minutes passed, and the audience outside grew louder, their voices blending into a restless murmur that rose to an irritated buzz. At last, the female commentator from the previous day appeared on the large screens, her voice echoing across the arena as she announced the news for the day.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second day of our thrilling tournament!”

Her tone was full of excitement and energy, clearly trying to hype the audience and compensate for the delay.

“Today marks the last round of single-elimination matches! The rules will be the same as yesterday, so let’s hear it for our fighters!”

The crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers, and as their energy filled the arena, the giant screen began to display the faces of the remaining participants. The screen ran through each of the names, randomizing the matchups for the day… The first two known names displayed were those of Li and Gregor, each matched against fighters who hadn’t particularly stood out in their first-round matches, although Gregor’s opponent was one of the missing fighters.

Li glanced over at his opponent, who happened to be one of the two fighters present, and grinned, a dark glint in his eye as he stared the man down. The fighter met Li’s gaze, and for a moment, his face went pale, fear visibly overcoming him after remembering what had happened the day before, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, trembling, unable to break away from Li’s intense stare.

The next match displayed on the screen left everyone slightly tense: Adam versus Drake. The two exchanged looks, both of them uncertain. They knew logically that it was a tournament, but fighting each other with their full strength was a difficult idea to accept.

The blonde sighed, scratching the back of his neck.

“This… feels strange, doesn’t it?”

He muttered, glancing at his friend. Adam nodded, his expression a mix of resignation and conflict.

“It does, but maybe we can find a way around this. There’s no need to push it to extremes.”

Kazue, listening in, tilted her head and spoke up with sparkles in her eyes.

“Come on, are you two really going to hold back? Haven’t either of you ever wondered which one of you is actually stronger?”

Adam and Drake exchanged a quick glance, then looked away, answering in unison.

“No, there’s no need to measure things like that.”

Li, watching the exchange, let out a short laugh, teasing them and crossing his arms with an amused smirk.

“You’re both so boring.”

Then, the screen moved to the last match of the morning — the first of the day’s bouts. Kazue’s image appeared next to that of Wei Lin, the powerful monk they had witnessed in action the day before. The moment the girl saw her name, her face lost color, her expression growing pale as her stomach twisted with nerves… The Shaolin monk had shown overwhelming strength in his previous fight, and she’d been secretly hoping she wouldn’t have to face him, at least not so soon.

Drake, noticing her reaction, reached out.

“Kazue… hey, it’s just one fight. Don’t let it get to you.”

Adam joined in, his tone gentle.

“Take it one step at a time. We’ve been training hard, just remember to breathe, focus, and analyze if you have no chance of victory, there is no shame in surrender.”

Kazue paused, feeling their words sink in. She took a deep breath, then raised both hands to her face and patted her cheeks firmly, the slight sting grounding her in the moment. She closed her eyes, then opened them, forcing a smile as she looked at her friends.

“Thank you, both of you, but I won’t surrender until the very end, I’ll do my best. That’s all I can do, right?”

She said, the nervousness in her voice giving way to determination; her confidence seemed to return, and the others nodded, reassured by her resolve. With the match set and the crowd’s excitement steadily building, the group moved to their designated positions, Kazue ready to step into the ring as the day’s opening fight loomed near.

The announcer's voice echoed across the arena, her tone lively as she called the first competitors to step onto the platform. Kazue, with her nerves evident in her expression, moved forward, her shoulders tensing as she took her place, meanwhile, from the spectator benches, her friends watched closely and with clear concern in their eyes.

Chloe clasped her hands together, her gaze fixed intently on Kazue as she whispered.

“Good luck, Kazue. You’ve got this.”

Emir leaned toward Nikolai, his brow furrowed.

“Is that the same man with the pole that ended his match in one blow yesterday?”

He asked, his tone laced with innocency, and Nikolai nodded grimly, crossing his arms.

“Yeah, that’s him. Let’s hope little girly doesn’t end up the same way.”

He muttered, though his words were more cutting than intended.

Katya shot Nikolai a fierce glare, silencing him instantly. He shivered under her gaze, quickly justificating to what he had said.

“I didn’t mean it like that. She can still surrender if things get too rough...”

Kazue steadied herself in the arena, scanning her surroundings as the seconds passed. She waited, expecting Wei Lin’s imposing figure to appear at any moment. However, as more time ticked by, nothing happened… The shuffling of tournament officials around the arena grew more frantic, they moved in a hurried, almost panicked fashion, whispering to each other with an urgency that made her stomach twist with unease. Still, Wei Lin did not appear.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Finally, after a tense few minutes, the announcer's voice returned, slightly strained but attempting to maintain her usual excitement.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Due to a no-show, Wei Lin has been disqualified!”

Her voice faltered as she tried to ease the crowd, who began to boo loudly. Desperately, she raised her hands, trying to calm them.

“It seems our formidable fighter was... uh... unexpectedly detained! But let’s not be too disappointed—these things happen, and there’s still plenty of action to… Ouch!”

A can rattled through the air, hitting her square in the face. She recoiled, momentarily stunned as she clutched her nose. The audience’s displeasure was palpable and their voices were rising in displeasure.

Kazue’s heart pounded in her chest, her hands trembling slightly from the relief that mingled with disappointment. She hadn’t even fought, and now, Wei Lin’s absence left a sour taste, as though something critical had been stolen from her, but it might as well be the main character’s luck, right? She exhaled, forcing her breathing to slow as she started to make her way off the arena platform.

But then, a piercing whistle filled the air, a sound that seemed to grow louder with each second. Kazue’s eyes widened, head snapping up as something streaked toward the center of the arena with astonishing speed.

She barely had time to brace herself when it impacted the ground with a thunderous crash. The entire arena shook, splitting beneath the force of the collision, and fragments of stone and earth shot upwards in a chaotic wave, scattering in every direction.

The impact threw the girl off balance, her footing slipping on the shattered floor as she struggled to regain her stance amidst the dust and debris. For a heartbeat, there was nothing but chaos—a blinding curtain of dust that filled the air, concealing everything from view.

Outside the arena, Adam and the others leaped to their feet, shock evident on their faces.

“Kazue! Kazue, can you hear me?!”

Drake called out in an urgent voice. Fortunately, a soft, strained response came from the haze.

“I’m... I’m okay!”

Kazue’s voice was unsteady, but it seemed fine.

The dust settled suddenly, as though swept away by an invisible hand, revealing the figure standing where the explosion had struck. He appeared untouched by the destruction around him—a man in his mid-twenties, his skin pale and flawless, wearing an impeccably tailored dark red suit, with a matching tie and polished black shoes that gleamed in the remnants of daylight filtering through the arena. His hair, jet-black and perfectly styled, was combed neatly back, framing a face that exuded an unsettling calm, and hazel eyes that scanned the scene, a warm yet somehow hollow smile on his lips.

Silence hung in the air, a collective intake of breath rippling through the audience. The announcer's voice broke the silence, trembling with shock and fear.

“L-Ladies and gentlemen… we… we have an unexpected guest. Please welcome… D-Don Park Zhen, the Regent of our city!”

Kazue’s heart lurched as her gaze locked with Park Zhen’s. Something about his presence sent a chill through her bones, and when she turned her head toward her teammates, she saw her own dread mirrored in their faces. Even Adam felt an unsettling sensation, a tugging at the edges of his mind as if the parasite within him was urging him to flee, a rare warning that signaled imminent danger.

Park Zhen’s gaze lingered on the girl before he shifted it to the rest of her group. His eyes held a strange, unfeeling kindness, the kind that made Kazue’s skin crawl, and then, with effortless grace, he took a step forward, his posture refined, each movement deliberate. Reaching into his pocket, he take out a pristine handkerchief, dusting his suit and shoes with a nonchalant flick of his wrist, seeming oblivious to the destruction he had caused.

Finally, he addressed the crowd, his voice smooth and almost gentle, yet it carried an authority that demanded absolute silence.

“Thank you all for being here. I apologize for the sudden disruption. I’ve been watching this tournament with interest since yesterday, and I have some announcements to make.”

His voice held a subtle warmth, but it felt hollow, devoid of any real sentiment. Then, turning to the organizers, he gave a small, polite nod.

“If you would, please display the images I sent this morning.”

The massive screen flickered to life, and a series of images began to cycle through. Park Zhen’s voice continued, calm and steady.

“These were taken earlier today, from various parts of our city.”

The screen showed scenes of grim carnage: bodies of tournament participants from the second round lying motionless in deserted alleys and desolate corners, each one killed swiftly, their expressions frozen in shock. As the images progressed, murmurs of horror swept through the crowd.

The final image appeared, showing the aftermath of a devastating battle within the Shaolin temple. The once-sacred grounds were littered with the bodies of fallen monks, their faces etched with terror and pain. But the most horrible part was that, at the center of all, sat the body of Wei Lin, his back against a shattered pillar. His staff lay broken at his side, and a gaping wound marred his chest... His lifeless eyes stared into the distance, his usual strength utterly defeated.

Park Zhen’s voice did not waver as he explained.

“As you can see, these were all competitors who were supposed to advance to today’s round. All but a select few were… taken care of. It seems our friends from the ‘White Flower Divination School’ have made quite an impression, enough that they deemed it worth it to wipe out any competition.”

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Park Zhen’s words settling heavily upon them. Adam clenched his fists, tension written in every line of his body. The implications of these attacks, the potential threat to their lives, made his stomach churn, what was he talking about? They have done nothing of the sort.

But before anyone could respond, Park Zhen’s laughter cut through the silence, light and unbothered.

“But of course, nothing here is against the rules. If the ‘White Flower Divination School’ was willing to risk provoking every other faction, then I’m sure they’re prepared to bear the consequences. I merely wanted to set things straight.”

He glanced at the remaining two competitors, who had been frozen in horror throughout his speech.

“You may still choose to continue if you wish.”

His smile widened slightly, as if amused by their reactions.

Both fighters shook their heads vigorously, fear evident in their eyes, so the Don chuckled softly, turning back to the crowd.

“It seems our tournament has reached a rather abrupt end. Therefore, I declare all of the ‘White Flower Divination School’ members participating as the winners.”

Without waiting for a response, he looked back at Kazue and the others.

“Now, as per the tournament’s prize, I’ll be taking all of you with me for a brief discussion.”

He then raised his voice, directing it at the remaining crowd.

“I’m sure no one here has any objections, correct?”

A powerful gust of wind burst from him, a sudden force that made the entire audience instinctively lean back, stifling any protest before it could even form. After a tense moment, Park Zhen’s cold smile returned.

“Thought so.”

He said softly, and then, with an inviting gesture, he beckoned the group.

“Your friends from the stands may come as well, of course.”

Adam stiffened at this, a cold realization dawning on him. Park Zhen had been watching them long before this moment, his knowledge of their presence was unsettling. He glanced toward the ones on the crowd seats, Chloe, Katya, Emir, Nikolai, and Sebastian, who looked just as rattled, but began to descend the stairs toward them nonetheless.

As the last of the crowd filed out, subdued by Park Zhen’s commanding aura, all the group followed the regent’s lead, their hearts racing as they exchanged nervous glances. The arena, once filled with the sounds of cheers, was now eerily silent, with only the distant echoes of their footsteps on the shattered stone remaining, some of them were tense, their bodies coiled like springs, while others wore expressions of unfounded determination.

Slowly, they began to follow Park Zhen down the main path leading to his palace, their footsteps forming a rhythmic pattern on the cobbled stones trying to follow his lead. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming lotus flowers that adorned the path, their delicate petals glistening with dew, and towering trees lined the walkway, their branches weaving together to form a natural archway, casting dappled shadows on the ground. As they walked, the group couldn’t help but admire the luxurious surroundings; intricate lanterns hung from the branches, their soft glow illuminating the way ahead.

“Stay close.”

Whispered Adam, glancing back at the group. His mind was racing with thoughts of what awaited them inside the palace, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in his chest.

As they approached the entrance of the palace, the sheer size of the structure left them in awe. The building was an architectural marvel, with its sweeping roofs curving gracefully upwards and elaborate carvings adorning the wooden beams. The grand entrance boasted a pair of massive golden doors, which gleamed in the sunlight, so heavy looking that at first glance one could say they weighed a few tons, however, Park Zhen reached out and pushed one door open with a single hand, the sound echoing like a thunderclap in the stillness.

“Please follow me.”

Commanded the Don, stepping inside as if it were a mere curtain. The interior of the palace was a breathtaking fusion of styles, a blend of ancient Asian elegance and the gritty modernity reminiscent of the 1900s in America, which was a very weird mix. As they ascended the polished marble stairs, Adam’s eyes widened at the sight of vibrant murals depicting heroic legends, their colors vibrant against the deep hues of the walls. Golden dragons spiraled across the ceiling, seemingly coming to life in the flickering candlelight.

The boy was struck by the unusual combination of aesthetics, a unique clash of eras that stirred memories of his previous world. This place felt like a blend of history and innovation, scanning the ornate decorations that lined the hallways. The heavy, dark wood contrasted with the delicate silk drapes that hung by the windows, the interplay of materials and styles creating an atmosphere both rich and strange that could only be possible in another world like this one, certainly the scenarios were full of interesting wonders.

They finally arrived at a grand office, its entrance framed by intricately carved wooden panels. The room was adorned with luxurious furnishings, plush rugs covering the floors, and a massive desk made of dark mahogany standing as the centerpiece. Behind the desk sat Park Zhen, his demeanor calm yet imposing.

“Please, take a seat.”

He gestured, motioning to the comfortable chairs positioned around a low table.

The group settled into the plush chairs, their earlier tension palpable in the air. The Don observed them with keen eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“You’ve come at an opportune moment, now that you’ve won your match, what do you seek? You may request something in return.”

Park Zhen said, pouring steaming tea with a rich and soothing aroma into a delicate cup. Li, feeling the weight of their mission, leaned forward.

“As you may know, we are members of the ‘White Flower Divination School’, we are here accompanying one of the executives to discuss a matter of urgency. There seems to be something troubling in the city, and we need information on the recent events.”

He declared confidently, his voice steady while Park Zhen listened intently, nodding as Li spoke, his expression thoughtful.

“Very impolite of you, don’t you agree?”

Replied the Don, his tone calm yet tinged with gravity.

“But you are correct, there is a significant issue at hand. A subversive group has infiltrated one of our most influential clans, sowing chaos and confusion, and has managed to replace key members with impostors.”

As Park Zhen elaborated on the situation, Adam’s unease grew. There was a subtle undertone to the regent’s words that made him uncomfortable, as if the very narrative was twisted in some way. He exchanged glances with the rest of the group but none of them seemed to have noticed besides the little Falk on Sebastian’s shoulder, who looked directly at the boy in a worrisome manner, on the other hand, Li seemed unaware of the shift in the atmosphere.

“Who are these impostors?”

Li pressed, his brow furrowing in concern.

“Some say they move in the shadows, like wraiths. Their motives are unclear, and some of my executives fear their reach is vast.”

Park Zhen explained, his eyes narrowing slightly while sipping tea.

“You must understand, it’s a delicate situation.”

Adam’s pulse quickened as he began to connect the dots; He wasn’t just talking about any group… He realized, his heart sinking. The boy opened his eyes wide, realizing too late the implications of their disguise.

With a serene smile, The Don leaned back in his chair and calmly said.

“You’re not from the ‘White Flower Divination School’, are you?”

Caught off guard, Li’s composure faltered.

“What do you mean? … This is a misunderstanding.”

The man stammered, attempting to regain his footing, but Park Zhen remained unfazed, calmly reaching for a communicator on his desk.

“It seems we have guests.”

He said nonchalantly, pressing a button… Panic surged through the group as an alarm blared throughout the palace with a piercing sound.

“What?! What do we do now?!”

Kazue gasped, her eyes darting around the room, but everyone was at a loss the same as her.

In a moment of desperation, Li’s frustration boiled over. He glanced at Park Zhen, still seated and relaxed, and summoned his spellbook on his hand, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body, he pulled all the power he could muster. The book glowed with a radiant light as he focused his intent.

“[Gigano Laser]”

Li shouted, his voice filled with urgency as he cast the spell.

[Skill: Gigano Laser LV2] [High-tier spell that calls forth the front section of a colossal mechanical zeppelin from a distant world, materializing above the caster’s head in a flash of brilliant energy. After a brief moment of intense buildup, the zeppelin’s massive cannon powers up, unleashing a devastating beam of atomic energy that streaks down toward the ground. This immense laser is capable of melting through the strongest of metals and disintegrating organic matter with ease, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake. ] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Notice: It will disintegrate everything in its way upon reaching a recognizable surface of the earth.] [Warning: After touching solid ground, the laser will explode and create a wide area of toxic wasteland, any living being inside will be affected by the altered state [Radioactive].]

Suddenly, the front section of a colossal metallic zeppelin materialized above them, its sheer size overwhelming the small office. The room shook as the structure crashed through the ceiling, splintering wood and debris raining down as it pushed into the space, obliterating the wall beside it.

“Get down!”

Drake, Adam, and Kazue yelled in unison, knowing full well what was about to happen, shielding his eyes from the dust and rubble and knowing full well that Li had exceeded himself with that one, it would be impossible for them to get out of there without being affected by the laser aftereffects.

The zeppelin’s enormous bulk loomed overhead, and with a deafening roar, it unleashed a powerful laser from its front, the energy crackling and humming with raw intensity. The sound echoed through the office, a testament to its destructive potential.

However, before anyone could comprehend the magnitude of the situation, Park Zhen moved with startling speed. With one fluid motion, he tensed his arm and struck the beam of energy as if it were a mere stream of water, redirecting the powerful laser toward the wall. The impact exploded in a burst of energy, sending shockwaves through the room as the wall crumbled and the beam shot out into the sky, disappearing into the horizon.

Park Zhen remained unfazed, a calm smile on his face as he regarded the chaos.

“You realize you will be held accountable for the repairs to my palace.”

The group stood in stunned silence, the enormity of their situation crashing down around them as they processed the confrontation. The weight of the Don’s words hung in the air, an unspoken challenge that lingered between them.